Climbing rose plant named `Quadra`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of climbing rose plant is provided which forms in clusters attractive deep red blossoms that tend to lighten somewhat when fully open. The new variety exhibits a spreading or trailing growth habit with glossy dark green foliage, and good winter hardiness. The newly opened leaves commonly display an attractive red tinge. Resistance to powdery mildew and blackspot has been observed. The new variety propagates well by the use of softwood stem cuttings, and is well adapted for growing as colorful ornamentation in the landscape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of climbing rose plant of the present invention wascreated by artificial pollination at the Central Experimental Farm,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) wasthe B08 line (non-patented in the United States) and the male parent(i.e., the pollen parent) was the U11 line (non-patented in the UnitedStates). The B08 line was a complex hybrid between tender and hardylines and the U11 line was a hardy pink climber. The B08 line wasderived from a cross between A15 (non-patented in the United States), ahybrid of `Queen Elizabeth` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,259) and `ArthurBell` (non-patented in the United States) and D36 (non-patented in theUnited States), a hybrid between an unregistered breeding line developedby Robert Simonet of Alberta, Canada, and the German shrub rose, `VonScharnhorst` (non-patented in the United States). The U11 line wasderived from an open-pollinated seedling `Red Dawn` that originated fromthe cross of the climber `New Dawn` (non-patented in the United States)and `Suzanne` (non-patented in the United States). `Suzanne` was ahybrid of Rosa laxa Retz. and Rosa spinosissima L. The breeding programwas designed to impart a high degree of winter hardiness to theoffspring.

It was found that the new variety of climbing rose plant of the presentinvention possesses the following combination of characteristics:

(a) exhibits a spreading or trailing growth habit with attractive darkgreen glossy foliage wherein the newly opened leaves commonly display ared tinge,

(b) forms in clusters attractive deep red blossoms that tend to lightenwhen fully open,

(c) propagates well by the use of softwood cuttings,

(d) exhibits a good winter hardiness, and

(e) is particularly well suited for growing as ornamentation in thelandscape.

The rose plants can be grown well on their own roots out-of-doorswithout protection at L'Assomption, Quebec, Canada. The blossomscommonly appear in large quantities during June and repeat throughoutthe summer to late September. Resistance to powdery mildew and blackspothas been exhibited.

While the new variety resembles `John Davis` (non-patented in the UnitedStates) and `William Baffin` (non-patented in the United States), it canbe readily distinguished by its many petalled deep red flowers that makeit unique among hardy climbers.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as attractive ornamentation in parks, gardens,public areas, and residential landscapes. It is particularly well suitedfor growing in the landscape.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found to be homogenousand stable and have been shown to be strictly transmissible by asexualpropagation by the rooting of softwood stem cuttings conducted atL'Assomption, Quebec, Canada.

The new variety has been named the `Quadra`.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this character,typical specimens of plants and plant parts of the new variety. The roseplants of the new variety described herein were approximately 5 to 6years of age and were photographed while growing on their own roots atL'Assomption, Quebec, Canada.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical flowering plant of the new variety whilegrowing in the landscape. The spreading or trailing habit, abundantfoliage, and dark red blossoms are apparent.

FIG. 2 illustrates typical blossoms and foliage of the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). Common color terms are tobe accorded their ordinary dictionary significance. The description isbased on the observation of 5 to 6 year-old plants of the new varietywhile being grown outdoors at L'Assomption, Quebec, Canada.

Class: Climbing.

Plant:

Height.--A five year-old plant commonly assumes a height ofapproximately 0.1±0.2 m.

Width.--A five year-old plant commonly assumes a width of approximately1.8±0.3 m.

Habit.--Spreading or trailing.

Thorns:

Quantity.--Approximately 10±2 thorns per 100 mm. of stem on average.

Leaves: Compound and pinnate.

Leaflets.--Number: commonly 3, 5 or 7. Frequency: abundant. Shape: ovateand acuminate. Size: approximately 45±5 mm. in length on average, andapproximately 25±3 mm. in width on average. Margins: dentate.

Color.--Adult foliage: dark green, Yellow-Green Group 147A with a redtinge of Red Group 46A on upper surface. Such red tinge which developson newly opened leaves adds to the attractiveness of the plant. Texture:leathery. General appearance: dark green, and glossy.

Inflorescence:

Number of flowers.--Commonly in clusters of 1 to 4.

Peduncle.--Generally erect.

Buds.--Shape: ovoid before the opening of the sepals.Color upon opening:the outer petals are deep red, Red Group 46A when unopened.

Flower.--Shape: assume a more flattened configuration when fully open(as illustrated). Diameter: approximately 80±10 mm. on average. Color(when blooming): deep red, Red Group 46A on the upper surface and RedGroup 46D on the under surface. The upper surface coloration of theblossoms commonly fades to Red Group 46D when the blossoms are fullymature. The petals have a white spot at the base. Fragrance: slight.Petal number: approximately 66±4 on average. Petal drop: petals tend todetach fairly clearly. Fertility: flowers commonly possess a low levelof fertility and only occasional hips are formed.Lasting quality: theblossoms commonly last 3 to 5 days when cut and placed in a vase andgenerally last longer on the plant. The blossom life is influenced bytemperature and other environmental conditions that are encountered.

Development:

Vegetation.--Good vigor.

Blossoming.--In large quantities during June with repetition throughoutthe summer to late September.

Hardiness.--Has survived test winters to -35° C. without protectionexcept for natural snow with only slight tip kill on younger shoots.

Resistance to diseases.--A high resistance to powdery mildew[Sphaerotheca pannosa (Wallr. ex Fr.) Lev.] and blackspot (Diplocarponrosae Wolf.) has been observed.

Preferred mode of propagation.--The use of softwood cuttings to produceself-rooted plants isrecommended. For instance, softwood cuttings takenat the bud stage can be dipped in rooting powder (e.g., Stimroot No. 2,0.4 percent indolebutyric acid of Plant Products, Bramalea, Ontario,Canada) and placed under mist for 3 to 4 weeks at 20° to 25° C. ambienttemperature.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of climbing rose plantcharacterized by the following combination of characteristics:(a)exhibits a spreading or trailing growth habit with attractive dark greenglossy foliage wherein the newly opened leaves commonly display a redtinge, (b) forms in clusters attractive deep red blossoms that tend tolighten when fully open, (c) propagates well by the use of softwoodcuttings, (d) exhibits a good winter hardiness, and (e) is particularlywell suited for growing as ornamentation in the landscape;substantiallyas herein shown and described.